" She was alone and pretty, a little
under-bred and blond. Rex lifted his hat.
"I beg your pardon," he said, in his most winning way; "are you waiting
for Mr. Strong?"
The girl threw up her head and looked frightened, and then angry.
"No, I am not," she said, and then, with a haughty look, "I call you
pretty saucy," and Rex was left mortified and silent, while a passing
man murmured, "Served you right," and a woman laughed scornfully. He
stalked across to the tranquil form on the truck.
"Billy," he said, and shook a massive shoulder. "Wake up. Tell me that
girl's name."
Strong opened his eyes like a baby waked from dewy sleep. "Wha's that,
Recky--dear old Recky--bes' fren'----"
"Cut that out," said Rex, sharply. "Tell me the name of the girl you're
waiting here to meet," and he laughed a short bitter laugh. The girl
whom "Billy" was waiting to meet! Rex was getting tired and hungry.
Strong smiled a gentle, obstinate, tipsy smile and shook his head. "No,
Recky, dear ol' fren'--bes' fren'--well, nev' min'. Can't tell girl's
name; tha's her secret."
"Don't be an ass, Billy--quick, now, tell me the name."
"Naughty, naughty!" quoted Billy again, and waggled his forefinger.
"Danger hell fire! Couldn' tell girl's name, Recky--be dishon'able.
Couldn', no, couldn'. Anythin' else--ask m' anythin' else in all these
wide worlds"--and he struck his breast with fervor.
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